Pasquales Restaurant and Pizzeria, Edinburgh

(In celebration of the fact that Ciao have a ready-made category for this, I'm pasting over one of my favourite dooyoo ops. I'm thirty no longer, but I've been back to Pasquale's many times since and this review still stands as gospel.) Ok, picture the scene: Aberdeen, summer of 1971. God it was hot. As the seagulls circled the harbour and the riggers quaffed ale in the pubs... a momentous thing took place up in the maternity hospital. Yeah baby! ShoppingGirl was born to a crowd of delighted rellies, all on standby with groovy, Seventies style woollies ready knitted, awaiting her arrival ... more

Karaoke in a restaurant, not a new concept, but have you experienced it? Pasquales is located just off the centre in Edinburgh (10 min by Taxi), in the upmarket area of Bruntsfield/Mechiston/Polwarth surrounded by Victorian Tenement Flats and adjacent to rather large posh Mansion Houses. I was amongst a group of about 20 work colleagues out for a leaving bash and what a bash we had! On our arrival the happily smiling moustachioed restaurant owner greeted us with warmth and affection. Although of course we made a booking, I got the opinion that he did not expect such a large group as we spewed ... more

As per the other comments on Pasquales this place is often a BIG party - it doesn't have to be xmas or a weekend either. But when it is quiet the karoke doesn't come on (although the waiters might still sing a bit!). The food is excellent whether a straight pizza or something more pricy. It is the perfect place to spend a long evening as the the staff do not hurry you & most of the time bring you free liquours. But! You can't tell till you turn up whether it's going to be a wild birthday party with dancing on the table or a quiet candle-lit night. ... more